Describe how a protein’s structure determines its function. What determines a protein’s structure?
Proteins
We generally tend to think of proteins only from a dietary lens, as a component of what we eat. However, they are among the most important and abundant organic macromolecules in the human body, with diverse structures and functions. Every cell contains thousands and thousands of proteins, each with specific functions. Some help in the formation of cellular membrane or walls, some help the cell to move, others act as messages or signals and flow seamlessly from one cell to another, carrying information.
Protein Expression
The method by which living organisms synthesize proteins and further modify and regulate them is called protein expression. Protein expression plays a significant role in several types of research and is highly utilized in molecular biology, biochemistry, and protein research laboratories.
Describe how a protein’s structure determines its function. What determines a protein’s structure?
Proteins have four levels of conformations known as primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary. In the primary structure, proteins are arranged into a linear sequence of amino acids, in which the amino acids are joined together through peptide bonds. In the secondary structure, the amino acids at specific locations in the linear chain form hydrogen bonds and get folded into secondary structures such as alpha helix and beta sheet. Loops and turns are irregular secondary structures that help to connect regular secondary structures such as alpha helix and beta sheet. Tertiary structure is the overall three-dimensional conformation of a polypeptide chain. And quaternary structure is achieved by multi-subunit proteins.
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